<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
accompanying financial statements of EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corporation
for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to those financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          35,572
<SECURITIES>                                     4,952
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,314
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,834
<INVENTORY>                                     63,043
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               208,707
<PP&E>                                         553,462
<DEPRECIATION>                                  60,152
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,040,349
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          234,811
<BONDS>                                        923,845
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (131,224)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,040,349
<SALES>                                        171,152<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               171,437
<CGS>                                           75,900<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  258,268
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                38,601
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,214
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              41,216
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (125,432)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        44<F3>
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (125,476)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (125,476)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                (125,476)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                (125,476)
<FN>
<F1>Includes sales of programming.
<F2>Includes costs of programming
<F3>Net of amounts capitalized.
</FN>